Writing Your Own Prayers?

[Lokabrenna]

I wasn’t sure where to put this, but figured this would be the best place to speak of things of a spiritual nature that were more personal. I’m wondering to what extent Catholics are permitted to write their own prayers. I suppose you might say that there’s no need, because there are tons of beautiful, traditional prayers that can be said, but it doesn’t seem as if this practice is actively discouraged or particularly encouraged–unless someone can quote something from the Catechism on this.

I suppose this might seem like an odd topic of conversation, but I’d say for many Pagans it’s practically a given that you will write your own prayers and/or rituals at some point, unless you are lucky enough to have a large body of written material to draw from, and even then, using one’s own work for personal devotions makes it more, well, personal.

 

[Student09]

We can certainly write our own prayers for private use. We can also pray in our own words (or without words) without writing anything, but there is nothing wrong with writing a prayer down.

I’m not sure what the rules are when it comes to groups of people. Some devotions are approved for public use, and some are not.

 

[Joannm]

Years ago I wrote my own prayer that I pray after receiving communion. Many times I write prayers for a service or as an opening prayer for a meeting. I think it is a common enough thing that people write their own prayers.

 

[fred_conty]

I wasn’t sure where to put this, but figured this would be the best place to speak of things of a spiritual nature that were more personal. I’m wondering to what extent Catholics are permitted to write their own prayers. I suppose you might say that there’s no need, because there are tons of beautiful, traditional prayers that can be said, but it doesn’t seem as if this practice is actively discouraged or particularly encouraged–unless someone can quote something from the Catechism on this.

I suppose this might seem like an odd topic of conversation, but I’d say for many Pagans it’s practically a given that you will write your own prayers and/or rituals at some point, unless you are lucky enough to have a large body of written material to draw from, and even then, using one’s own work for personal devotions makes it more, well, personal.

Here is a suggestion. Pray standard prayers that don’t have the word “me” in them. avoid those, even if it says “make me holier, or make me more charitable, etc.” The focus should be about our dear saviour and how to direct everything toward what he wants. The rosary concentrates on Jesus. The divine chaplet offers reparation and offers supplication for others. The litinies ask supplicaion from others. Or simply speak from the heart. Or if some idea moves you, write it down and use it. If is sincere and not contrived but simple, then use it.

Just a thought.

 

[sharkboarder]

I think writing your own prayers is awesome. You get to think about what you say a lot more. After saying the Our Father for twenty years the same way over and over you might begin to lose the meaning behind the words. Not like I’m saying forget the Our Father, it’s a wonderful prayer, but I think writing your own prayers expands your creativity, which is something God gave us for a purpose, right? I’m a bit of a creative writer myself and I try to make the effort to say more original prayers. Hope this helps

 

[AlanFromWichita]

I wasn’t sure where to put this, but figured this would be the best place to speak of things of a spiritual nature that were more personal. I’m wondering to what extent Catholics are permitted to write their own prayers. I suppose you might say that there’s no need, because there are tons of beautiful, traditional prayers that can be said, but it doesn’t seem as if this practice is actively discouraged or particularly encouraged–unless someone can quote something from the Catechism on this.

I suppose this might seem like an odd topic of conversation, but I’d say for many Pagans it’s practically a given that you will write your own prayers and/or rituals at some point, unless you are lucky enough to have a large body of written material to draw from, and even then, using one’s own work for personal devotions makes it more, well, personal.

You can write your own prayers. I even like to take Bible passages and literally read my name into the story to try to better “feel” the parts. Like take the beatitudes in Matt 5 and write in your name so they are directly to you, “blessed is Lokabrenna for she is pure of heart, for she shall see God.” Learn the power of the Bible by investing this “membership” in it and not just the words alone.

Alan